Conference details deals for GM shift

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Area communities and businesses are scheduled to discuss the details of incentive programs aiming to attract relocating General Motors Corp. employees at a press conference at 11 a.m. today at Lordstown High School.

The collective program of incentives is called Money Available for Relocated Autoworkers.

Relocating employees who settle anywhere in Trumbull County have two incentives available to them. Eastwood Mall will make a $250 payment, and the Regional Chamber will provide a $250 grant funded by Cafaro Corp., a privately owned real estate and leasing company based in Youngstown.

Separate applications may be required for each incentive.

In addition to luring workers to Trumbull County, some communities have devised their own incentives to attract workers.

On Wednesday, Niles City Council unanimously approved Mayor Ralph Infante’s incentive plan to provide $500 to any third-shift employee who will work at the Lordstown plant who buys or builds a home in the city by June 4, 2009. The funds will be paid only to those employees who are transferred to the third shift by GM from outside the Niles area.

Infante’s Home Purchase Incentive Plan requires applicants to live in the house they’ve purchased for three years; however, they can apply for the grant once they’ve established occupancy. In addition, they will be required to file a Form 1099 with the Internal Revenue Service to report the $500 as income.

Warren has devised a $500 tax deduction to workers who settle within the city.

The prize for cities is the income tax the workers would pay.

Cafaro spokesman Joe Bell said others may announce additional incentives at the press conference today.

Trumbull County officials, meanwhile, have said state laws prohibit the county from being able to provide a similar incentive for new Lordstown workers wanting to buy a home outside of the cities.

Commissioner Frank Fuda said county commissioners may attend today’s press conference but won’t have anything to offer at the county level.

XCONTRIBUTORS: Vindicator correspondent Jordan Cohen.